Friction-clutch.



B. D. COPPAGE. FRicnoN CLUTCH. APPLICATION FILED JULY l. 1914.

25W, www.

WITNESSES PATENT oEEIoE.

BENJAMIN DENVER COPPAGE,

or WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

FRICTION-GLUTCH.

Lianne.

To v@ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN DENVER Corman, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Wilmington, Delaware, have invented a new and useful I m- :provement in Friction-Clutches, which 'ine lventionis fully set forth in; the following specification.

Thejpresent invention relates to friction clutches,particularly of the disk type such as :shown in the patent to 'Faucett, No. 630,532,7August 8, 1899. Friction clutches of this type, and which are closed by lever mechanism, have a great many advantages andyuses, but it has been experienced that theyare subject to excessiveY wear which greatly shortens the life of the clutch. y This wear of the clutching surfaces is due either to over-adjustment on the part of the oper atonor expansion of the parts due to the heat'generated by friction. This matter of overadjustment is the most prolific source of trouble, and clutches of this type require ftheAa-ttention of careful and skilled operators; as is obvious when it is pointed out that acne-half turn of the adjusting nut on the Faucettfv type of clutch in common use increases thepick-up capa-city of such a. clutch If the clutch is large the `machinery with too great an accelera` tiOmthereby causing shock. On the other hand, if the clutch is too small to quickly 'accelerate the load, the clutch disk will be cut'landf1tlie adjustment will be lost by the reductionof the thickness of the clutch disk. Experience has accordingly demonstrated that' clutches of this type aresubject to great .variations of power due to wear on the parts for ythe causes indicated.

The principal objects of the present invention are tl erefore to provide a clutch of thisfcharacter which will lperform its functions with practically "no wear on the parts; whichl'will sIlot require the services of 'a skilled" operator to prevent overadjustment; which will substantially maintain a predetermined pressure between the disks, except Ialt-fthe period of slipging during starting, at`

whiclr'time Athe heat; generated by friction causes a ten'lporary expansion of the disks andthereby a slight increase ofpressure, which increase, however, is insutlicient to 'lock the clutch members, although it is suficiently highto effectively operate the Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 1, 1914. Serial No. 848,440.

Patented Feb. 8,1916.

clutch even though the disks should wear afrd become thinned from whatever cause.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating one expression of the inventive idea, and wherein Figure l is .a vertical sectional View through the improved clutch mechanism; Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking toward the` leftA of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a separated perspective View of part of the mechanism by which power is applied to move the disks into clutching engagement; Fig. 4 is a. horizontal sectional view, partly in elevation, of a pair of spring casings and associated mechanism; Fig, 5 is an end elevation looking toward the right of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is1 a perspective View of the nut-locking p ate.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, 10 indicates a shaft on which is keyed or otherwise secured in any desired mannerva relatively fixed member or hub casing 1l upon which is mounted an equalizing yoke^`12, the running spool 13 and an additional spool 14. Suitable lever mechanism (not shown) is connected to the stationary spool 14, whereby the running spool 13 is caused to move longitudinally of shaft 10.

The running spool 13v is provided with a plurality 4of studsfor projections 15, here shown as4 three, to the upper end of each of which is pivoted one end of a link 16, the otheend of which projects-between and is attached to one extremity of each of two identical levers 17,Each pair of levers 17 is pivoted on apin v18 carried by arms 19 and 19 preferably formed integrally with the equalizihg yoke 12. In the other eX- tremities of each pair of levers 17 is mounted a pin 2O on which is pivoted one Y end of a link 21 which is Vprovided at its that will be hereinafter described. Any desired number and size of disks, according to the work to be performed, may be employed, but there are herein shown four y inner disks 24 and three outer disks 25. The inner disks 24 are suitably interlocked with a clutch sleeve 26, which is loose on shaftlO,

and the outer disks are .engaged with keys 27 which are attached to a ange 28 ony the hub casing 11. Between the disks are provided springs 29 which act to push the disks apart when the clutch is open. Preferably "the shaft 10 is'provided with an oil hole 30 to supply lubricant to the clutch sleeve which is stationary when the clutch is open,

and on which sleeve may be keyed or other-4 f hands of an ignorant or careless workman,

or from other cause; and with the device'ot the present invention, the clutch may be..

closed instantly, without any thought or care on the part of the operator, without any danger'of shock or wear (such as encountered on disk clutches Vas heretofore' used), and without any loss of adjustment between the parts, which adjustment is maintained constant and at a predetermined degree. V

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and si., it will be observed that each hook 22 engages the cross member of a U-shaped member or bolt 31, both legs of which are screwthreaded for practically their entire length. Each leg carries a standard hexagonalnut 32, which nuts are held in adjusted position by means of a. nut lock bar 33 (Fig. 6) secured to the nuts by a screw 31. Each leg of each bolt 31 also carries a lsecond hexagonal nut 35 which slides within hexagonally-shaj'ied openings 35 in easings 3G, one of said casings 3U surroiinding each leg of. each bolt 31. These casings project through openings in hub casing l1 and may be 'rotated in said openings by a wrench applied to the hexagonal end 3T of said casings 36. A helical spring 38 is contained in each casing and surrounds .its associated. leg o'tl U-bolt 31, one end of said spring bearing against the casing'and the other end against nut 35. ,'llacli casing is provided with a shoulder 3G that engages the tollower plate. or easing 23. When casimgs 3G are rotated` the hexagonal `nuts 35, being ".arried in hexagonal recesses 35', rotate therewith and are yaccordingly displaced along the screw-threaded legs ot' the Ubolt 31, thus compressing springs 38, it' the rotation ot' the nuts 35 is continued after thc spring casings Sli contact with hexagonal pressed springs, casings 36, shoulders 36` and follower plates or casings This compression of the springs will be maintained by reason ofthe fact that 'the pivot 2() of each link 21 is moved into a-horizontal plane below that passing through the middle of 'pivot 18 and the legs of bolt 31 which carry springs 38, and the parts will be maintained in this position until the toggle lever mechanism is moved in a reverse direction by stationary collar 14.

It is pointed out that, if the springs 38 have an initial tension, casings 36 will be kept in contact with nuts 32 except when the toggle lever mechanism pulls the U-bolt 31 together with nuts 32 away from the spring casings 36, which is the case. when the clutch is closed. \Vhen the leverl mechanism is moved in a direction opposite to thatq in which it. was moved to etl'ect clutching' engagement between vthe disks` the springs` 38 expand, moving nuts 35 and 32 toward the left` the latter thereby engaging its casing 36 and forcing it toward the left`v thus removing shoulder 36 trom the follower -asing 23 whereupon springs 29v will Separate the inner disks 24 and outer disksi,

and aceordingly the rotation of the part ot' theclutch willcease.

ln view of the fact that the power applied to the llever mechanism is transmitted to the. disks to eifectclutching engagement through springs thatimaintain a predeterdriven vmined degree of pressure between the parts, 1t 1s clear-'that the necesslty for care or sklll on the part ot' the operators is obviated and that the Clutch may be instantly closed without dangewof shock r wear.` lVith this construction. the disks cannot be suddenly engaged. as is the case with lthe Fancett type of clutch. but the engagement is gradual and progressive, the springs acting to press the disks together with the requisite predetermined degree of pressure. It is pointed out that the pressure on the disks shoud not be so great as to either squeeze out the lubricant or evaporate the same by excessive friction', and yet should be suiiclent to pick up the load and accelerate the saine to full speed in a reasonable length of-time,` .overcoming the frlction of rest and' the inertia. ot the mass, and maintaining the power or torque required to sustain the de-. sired running speed. It this be done. the wear on the disks will b e negligible and it will be necessary only to renew the lubricant Jfrom time totime. l

While for the purpose ot' illustration. one

expressionot the inventive idea has been herein described with o'reat iarticularitv it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the structure shown but that the inventive idea is susceptible of various 'mechanical embodiments within the limits of the appended claims.

1. In a clutch `mechanism the combination of a plurality of disks, means for moving the same into clutching engagement including a lever mechanism, a spring associated with said lever mechanism through which power applied to said lever mechanism ,is transmitted to said disks, and means for adjusting said spring independent of changes in the path of travel of said lever mechanism. y

2. In a clutch mechanism the combination of a plurality of disks, means for moving the same into clutching engagement including a plurality of lever mechanisms, a spring associated with each lever mechanism through which power applied to said lever mechanisms isl transmitted to said disks, means for 'adjusting said springs, and stop members associated with said springs for permitting adjustments of said springs independent of changes in the paths of travel of said lever mechanisms.

3. In a clutch mechanism the combination of a plurality of disks, means for moving the same into clutching engagement including a plurality of lever mechanisms, adjustable springs associated with each lever mechanism through which power applied to said lever mechanisms is transmitted to said disks, stop members associated with the springs of each lever mechanism to prevent changes in -the paths of travel of said lever mechanisms when said springs are adjusted,

and locking means for said stop members.

4. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of a plurality ofdisks, means for moving the same into clutching engagement including a plurality of lever mechanisms, and springs' associated with each lever mechanism for transmitting power to said disks, said springs being adjustable without changing the paths of travel of said lever mechamsms.

5. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of a plurality of disks, a follower plate, means moving `said follower plate to force said disks into clutching engagement, said means including a plurality of vlever mechanisms and a spring associated with each lever mechanifm through which springs the power applied to said lever mechanisms is transmitted to said follower plate.

G. In a clutch mechanism. the eombinaf tion of a relatively fixed member, a disk bearing against the same, a follower bearing against said disk, a spring associated with said: follower, a casing for said spring having a part in engagement with said follower,

and means for moving saidY follower into clutching relation with said disk said means acting through said spring and casing.

7. In a clutch mechanism, the combina-` having a part in engagement with said fol-` lower, and lever mechanism for moving" said follower into clutching-relation with said'disk, said rr' ,.Aanism acting through said spring and casing.

8. In a clutch mechanism, the `combina-v tion of a plurality'bf vdisks and means 'for moving the same into clutching engagement including a lever, a screw-threaded member moved thereby, a spring associated with said disk, a spring associated said member, a rotatable casing for said"` spring engaging one of said disks, and a nut engaged by said spring and rotatable with said casing but displaceable longitudinally thereof when said casing is rotated.

9. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of a plurality of.disks and means for moving the same into clutching engagement including a lever, a screw-threaded member moved thereby, a spring associated with said member, a rotatable casing for said spring engaging one of said disks, a nut engagedby said spring and rotatable with said casting but displaceable longitudinally thereof when said casing is rotated, and a second nut carried by said member engaging said casing and moving the same when the power applied through the lever is removed.`

10. In a clutch mechanism, theicombination of a relatively fixed member, a disk bearing against the same, a follower bearing against said disk, a spring associated with said follower, a casing for said spring having a part in engagement with said follower, and means adapted by rotation of said casing to adjust and determine the initial tension of the spring, and means for moving said follower into clutching relation with said disk said means acting through said spring and placing the same under further tension.

11. yIn a clutch mechanism, the combination of `a relatively fixed member, a disk bearing` against the same, a follower bearing against said disk.y and means for moving said follower into clutching relation with said disk said means including a plurality of leyer mechanisms, a U-shaped member nuvvable b v each lever uieelmnism, each leg of said U-shaped member being screwthreaded. a spring surrounding each leg, a rotatable easing for each spring and which is engaged by. one end of said spring, a nut on each leg rotatable. with said easing but displaceable longitudinally thereof and bearing against the other end of said spring, cach casing engaging said follow/,erl

12. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of 'a relatively fixed member, a disk bearing against the same, a follower bearing against the disk', a' plurality of lever mechanisms for moving said follower into clutching relation with said disk, a' U-shaped member movable by each lever mechanism each leg of said U-shaped member being screw-threaded, a. spring surrounding each leg, a rotatable casing for each spring and which is 'engaged by one end of said spring,

4a, nut on each leg rotatable with said casing but displaceable longitudinally thereof and bearing against the other end of' said spring, each casing being in operative relation with said follower, and a second nut carried by each leg and engaging its casing to move the same when the parts are moved out of clutching engagement.

.13. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of a relatively fixed member, a disk bearing against the same, a follower plate bearing against said disk, and means for moving said follower into clutching enscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN DENVER COPPAGE. Witnesses: H.J. FEENEY,

GEO. E. SANDS.

-specification in the presence of two sub- 

